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“Let’s see if we can’t help you take it a bit more seriously.” He raised his hand high in the air and swung, palm meeting flesh with a resounding smack.

  Her body bucked, tensing and releasing on a loud gasp.

  “How about that? Was that ridiculous?” he said with a smirk.

  She groaned as she arched her torso, lifting up her ass in invitation. “Not ridiculous. Do it again, please?”

  Hearing her ask for his hand sent a jolt of heat surging through his veins. He spanked her again, barely giving her any recovery time as he peppered her ass five more times. He didn’t use as much force as he would if she was one of the subs at a play party, but it was enough to turn her ass a dark shade of pink. Each time she whispered a quiet “yes” and squirmed on his lap, leaving what he’d guess was a huge wet spot on his pants.

  He squeezed her cheeks together, digging his fingers into her hot flesh. “You have a biteable ass. Just want to sink my teeth into it.” And he would. Soon. He dragged his fingers down her crack, eliciting a shiver out of her. Testing, he dipped his pinky between her cheeks and pressed against her tightness but didn’t enter. “Or maybe my cock,” he said, his voice hoarse as his cock throbbed at the thought of pushing inside that tight heat. She stiffened, and he let out a chuckle, gently patting her backside. “Don’t worry, baby. No back-door play until you put up the welcome sign. Besides, I haven’t even kissed you yet, baby doll.” He lifted her up and maneuvered her so she straddled him.

  “Jane,” she said emphatically, her eyes flashing with defiance. “Not baby. Not baby doll. Jane.”

  God, he loved her fire.

  “Jane,” he repeated just before he captured her mouth with his own. His head buzzed as her taste exploded on his tongue. Vodka. Sugar. And something undefinable, except to say it was uniquely Jane. Tart, sweet, and mysterious.

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her hands sank into his hair and her soft fingertips massaged his scalp. He shivered, her touch sending chills through him. Her petal-soft lips surrendered under his, parting, silently asking for more.

  Lucky for her. He was in the mood to give it.

  He held on to Jane as he stood up from the chair and walked them to the bed. He dropped her onto the mattress, enjoying the image of her small tits bouncing as she fell back.

  How far was she willing to go? Allowing someone to spank her was one thing, but what he had in mind would require quite a bit more trust.

  “How do you feel about restraints?” he asked her, eyeballing the sashes hanging from the curtains behind the headboard.

  “In general?” she quipped, followed by a nervous giggle.

  He didn’t blame her. She should be nervous. Bondage wasn’t just about adding a layer of kink to the bedroom. It was also about trust. If she gave her consent to be bound, she’d be giving him power over her. “I want to tie you to the bed.”

  She lifted her head off the mattress. “I’m not sure. I don’t know you.” Her voice shook, but at least she wasn’t running out of there, disgusted at the thought.

  He untied the long strips of fabric and dragged them lightly down the length of her body. She undulated underneath it, her lips parting as she let out a quiet moan.

  “I won’t tie it tightly,” he promised. “You’ll be able to get away if necessary. It will just feel like you’re bound and helpless.”

  She paused, considering his words, then bravely raised her arms above her head. “Then yes.”

  He would make sure she’d never regret her decision.

  At home, his bed had a built-in restraint system, complete with rope and pulleys that could lift his lover into the air, if he wanted. He licked his lips as he imagined what Jane would look like suspended above his bed, cradled by rope, all her secret places exposed for him. She’d tremble, wondering what filthy, incredible thing he’d do to her first.

  But unfortunately, this upscale hotel didn’t exactly cater to the kinky.

  Good thing Ryder had a creative mind. Like the MacGyver of kink, he could pervert almost any object.

  The headboard wasn’t slatted, but it did have knobs on each side that would work perfectly for this particular purpose. First on one side and then on the other, he wrapped the end of the sash around the knob and tied it with a knot. Then he tied the other ends around her wrists, giving her almost no slack.

  He slipped his finger between the fabric and her skin, making sure it wasn’t too tight. “How does that feel?”

  She looked at him, her eyes slightly glazed as she tried to move her hands but couldn’t. “Good,” she whispered.

  They’d barely started and he’d wager anything that she’d already begun slipping into subspace, that trancelike state that subs sometimes achieved. “If it starts to get too uncomfortable or you get pins and needles in your arm or hands, you have to let me know, okay? I don’t want to cut off your circulation.” He’d never topped anyone who’d gone under that quickly. That Jane was already floating, coupled with the fact that she was probably inexperienced meant he had to take extra care of her. “We didn’t talk about safe words.” He didn’t think they’d need one. “Say ‘no,’ ‘stop,’ or anything remotely negative and I’ll stop. You understand, Jane?”

  She smiled dreamily. “I get you.”

  That smile would be the death of him.

  He grabbed a condom from his wallet and quickly undressed, loving the sight of Jane’s eyes widening as she perused his naked form. His knees hit the foot of the bed and on all fours, he stalked his way up the mattress until he caged her in with his body, his hands bracketed beside her face. Her lips parted, her breath coming out in little puffs and beneath him, she trembled. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  “I’m not scared.”

  “Such a pretty, little liar.”

  She looked like a goddess splayed out before him, her long hair spread out on the pillow beneath her. Her small breasts were tipped with pale pink nipples that begged to be licked and sucked and bitten. His mouth literally watered as he imagined his tongue on them. His gaze lowered to the creamy skin stretched tight over her rib cage and down past her adorable outie belly button to the thatch of brown curls covering her pussy. She was soaked, the hair glistening with her arousal. With a shy smile, she slowly parted her legs, giving him his first glimpse of the pink flesh between her thighs. It was one of the most erotic moments of his life.

  He kissed her then, her lips like a magnet he was helpless to resist. If he could figure out a way to kiss her mouth and pussy at the same time, he’d die a happy man.

  He had a million and one things he wanted to do to her lips alone. They were plump, wet, and soft. He wanted to slide the tip of his dick over them, back and forth, and get them glossy with his precum and then watch them stretch around his girth as he shot his load down her throat.

  Her mouth grew pliant under his, allowing him to direct the kiss. He licked into her mouth, teasing her with soft caresses before a rush of adrenaline had him craving more and the kiss turned carnal.

  He hovered over her, not a single part of him touching a single part of her, but it didn’t matter because he felt her everywhere. She arched her spine upward, but his ties held her prisoner. Sweat dripped down his back as he lowered himself on top of her. She groaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. Her skin was hot, soft, and moist with perspiration. He had to feel her wet heat surround his dick before he embarrassed himself and came all over her tits.

  Hmm…maybe he’d do that later after he ate her pussy.

  He rolled the condom down his length, leaving a space at the tip, and noticed the spermicidal lubricant had dried out. He shrugged it off, figuring Jane was already plenty wet to take him.

  She trembled slightly as he aligned his cock to her entrance and pushed himself into her. A wince flashed across her face and her body tensed, but she didn’t complain. He could understand her discomfort. He was on the bigger side and she was tight as hell. But it wouldn’t be long before she was screaming his name in ecst
asy. If there was one thing Ryder did well, it was fucking.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, concern for her pleasure at the forefront of his mind even though his dick was screaming at him to just thrust all the way inside her.

  Pressing her lips together, she nodded, relaxing her muscles.

  He didn’t give her another chance to tense up. He slammed his way forward, driving himself all the way home inside of the tightest, hottest pussy he’d ever experienced. For the next hour, he pulled her body into dozens of positions, throwing her into climax after climax. And she’d eagerly met him thrust for thrust, vocal and uninhibited, writhing beneath him as he took her to the heights of ecstasy again and again with his cock, fingers, and tongue.

  Her pussy tasted like a rare fine wine, complex and earthy, and hearing her moan his name was like hearing the heavens sing for him. Finally, he couldn’t hold back any longer. His balls drew up tight as an electric current ran down his spine and wrapped around them. With the force of a speeding train, he shot his load, his dick pumping into her until every bit of his climax had been wrung out of him.

  That was, hands down, the best fuck of his life.

  He kissed her softly, caressing her and cuddling her, something he’d never bothered with before but now couldn’t imagine going without. She sighed, lazily kissing him back, her eyes closed.

  Holding on to the base of the condom, he reluctantly withdrew from her body. Immediately, his eyes went to the head of his dick, which should have been covered by latex…but wasn’t.

  “Fuck. The condom broke.”

  Her eyes fluttered open and fixed on him.

  “I promise I’m clean,” he swore to her. “Just got my physical last month. You good?”

  Since losing his virginity in high school, not once had he not gloved up during sex. But condoms weren’t just to prevent disease, and he silently prayed she was on the pill.

  She nodded sleepily. “I’m good.” Sighing, she closed her eyes again.

  Thank fuck.

  Because the very last thing he ever wanted to do was bring an innocent child into the world.

  FOUR

  Present day

  Jane stood frozen, staring at Ryder, wondering if this was really happening.

  It just wasn’t possible.

  Ryder, her Ryder, couldn’t be Keane’s son.

  This man had seen parts of her even she’d never viewed. He’d spanked her. Tied her to the bed. She’d given him her virginity.

  And he’d given her something precious in return.

  Oh my God.

  Ryder was her soon-to-be-stepfather’s brother.

  In less than an hour, he’d be her stepuncle.

  They’d be related.

  Her head was spinning with the ramifications.

  Most people had no idea that she was Ciara’s daughter, and even if they did, Jane didn’t care about their opinions. But she did care about Keane’s and Ian’s. What would they think when they learned the truth?

  What would Ryder do?

  She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

  Maybe she’d fallen asleep and this was a nightmare. Yeah. That has to be it. After all, she hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in months.

  She looked at the three men at the bar—really looked—and her heart stuttered.

  How had she missed it?

  They all shared the same unusual-color eyes. The same clear gray eyes she saw every day for the past year.

  Her stomach dropped as though she were on an amusement park ride. The thought that Ryder was the pigheaded son that Keane had mentioned a couple of times had never crossed her mind.

  And Finn had never spoken about him at all around her. Not that she’d spent much time with him.

  How many times had she thought about Ryder since that night they’d shared together? Too many to count. In fact, he never strayed far from her mind. After failing to unearth his name from the conference organizers, she’d given up hope that she’d ever see him again. And he’d been only one connection away from her this whole time.

  Would he call her out and admit they spent the night together? She wasn’t prepared for the fallout when Keane, her mother, and Finn connected the dots; Ryder deserved to hear the truth from her lips. But now, twenty minutes before the wedding, wasn’t the time to get into any of it.

  When Finn coughed, she realized that she was just standing there, gawking at Ryder, who held his hand out for her. Just as he had that night. “Nice to meet you, Ryder,” she said, tentatively accepting it.

  Heat zinged through her chest at the strength in his grip and the calloused pads of his fingers. Fingers that had brought her both pleasure and pain. They’d caressed her. Spanked her. Been deep inside her. The spark between them was still there. Still as strong as it had been that night. Maybe stronger.

  “Likewise.” He quirked a brow. “Jane, was it?” he asked, playing along.

  She let out a breath, relieved she had a little more time before her life imploded. “Yes. That’s right.”

  His eyes burned into her as his grip tightened. Flecks of desire danced in his gaze, but there was something else there. Something that looked like…anger?

  She tried to break away, but he refused to let go. “Can I have my hand back?” she asked on a forced laugh.

  The last thing she needed was for Keane to pick up on her discomfort and start questioning her about it. He’d been her rock for the past year. She would never lie to him.

  Ryder blinked hard and looked down at their joined hands before releasing her. His eyes narrowed on her. “There’s something familiar about you. Have we met before?”

  His tone gave her pause. There wasn’t a hint of teasing to it.

  It was hard to believe, but maybe he didn’t recognize her.

  Tonight, instead of the stunning Carolina Herrera blouse and skirt, she was wearing a floor-length, beige satin bridesmaid dress that did nothing to flatter her figure. With its empire waist that fitted her just below her bust, the dress had obviously been designed for women who actually had breasts and hips.

  Tonight, she’d worn her curly hair down. When they’d met, it had been up and pin straight.

  Tonight, she was wearing her glasses rather than contacts and more natural makeup. Contacts made her eyes itch and drugstore makeup was more affordable than the pricy kind she’d gotten at the spa.

  So, she guessed it was possible he didn’t recognize her.

  Or maybe he’d simply forgotten her.

  But no…looking at him, she couldn’t miss the tension in his jaw or the animosity in his gaze.

  He was angry with her.

  Why? Because she’d run off in the middle of the night? If anyone had the right to be angry, it was her. After all, he hadn’t bothered to tell Jane he was in a relationship with another woman. She’d figured out that piece of information when she’d overheard him talking on the phone while she’d been in the bathroom.

  “No.” Lie, lie, lie. She pasted on a fake smile. “I’m sure I would’ve remembered.”

  Keane lifted her freed hand and kissed the top of it. “You look beautiful as always, Jane.”

  Hardly. These days, it was hard leaving her apartment without a stained blouse or in today’s case, a ripped dress. If it weren’t for her roommate Dreama, she wouldn’t even have time for a shower before work. “That’s kind of you to say, Keane, but I know I look a mess.”

  “My father’s right,” Ryder said, raking his gaze over her form before staring at her mouth as if he remembered what she’d done with it during their night together. Confusing her, the hostility in his gaze had all but disappeared. “You look…lovely.”

  Finn gave her a fond smile. “Listen to them, Jane. The last time those two have agreed on something…” He scratched his head. “Well, I don’t think it’s ever happened.”

  “Thank you.” She grew uncomfortably warm as Ryder continued to stare at her. “Well, um, I should probably go find my mother before the ceremony starts.” W
ithout pausing, she twirled around as well as she could in her monstrosity of a bridesmaid’s dress and fled out of the room.

  Her heart was racing so fast she could barely catch her breath. She’d always hoped she’d find him, but not this way. Not tonight. Not when she had to deal with the family she barely knew and the work associates who’d just love to gossip about her personal life.

  There was already talk circulating about how quickly she’d climbed the corporate ladder within Keane’s company. It would have been easier to deal with if they’d believed it was just a clear case of nepotism since Finn was marrying her mother. But honoring her mother’s wishes, she and Keane had kept that fact private.

  Although she’d worked her butt off for the promotion to vice president, a part of her wondered if she really deserved it or whether he’d only given her it because of their familial connection. Regardless, she would’ve been stupid to turn it down. The job afforded her flexibility to work at home when necessary and came with great medical insurance, both of which she’d needed this past year.

  Jane came to the door marked BRIDAL ROOM and squared her shoulders, determined not to let on to her mother that anything was wrong. Even though they weren’t close, Jane wouldn’t do anything to ruin her big day.

  She pushed open the door and stepped inside.

  Straightening her veil, her mother sat in front of a dressing table and mirror while her three other bridesmaids—friends from high school who were among the few people who were aware of Jane’s biological connection to her mother—stood around her drinking champagne and chatting. As soon as they caught sight of Jane, the room went quiet.

  Her mother was beautiful and polished and everything Jane wasn’t. Petite, but curvy in all the right places. Straight, glossy blond hair. Wide blue eyes and a button nose. She never stumbled or misbuttoned her blouse or ripped her skirt. She was the epitome of class in every way that counted while Jane felt like a bumbling idiot half the time. It wasn’t that she was ugly. Taller than average with dark, curly hair, plain brown eyes, and a nose with a slight bump to it, she obviously took after her birth father. Not that she’d ever met him or even seen a picture of him. Her mother refused to talk about him. Sometimes Jane wondered if her mother simply disliked her because of the way she looked.